Joseph son of Israel (Jacob) Saved Egypt, Israelites move to Egypt
The story of Joseph and his many-colored coat is a very well-known Biblical story. It is so well known that Joseph is amongst the most recognizable biblical characters, even to non-Christians. Joseph ranks as identifiable as Jesus Christ; Moses; and king David. There have been movies and musicals, in recent times, that have made this story relevant to new audiences.
But who in history was the man Joseph? Is there evidence of his existence? What did he do that was so important? Why does the Biblical historical narrative devote 10 whole chapters to this saga?
But who in history was the man Joseph? Is there evidence of his existence? What did he do that was so important? Why does the Biblical historical narrative devote 10 whole chapters to this saga?
Entwined amongst the historical personage of Joseph and his importance as a Governor of Egypt, his subsequent deliverance of Egypt (and his family members) from a very severe famine and possible the overthrow of Egypt by outside forces, is a human story of emotion and hardship and triumph.
The story of Joseph really starts back in Genesis with favouritism. Joseph's grand-father Isaac had 2 sons - Jacob and Esau. Isaac favoured the son Esau, while his wife favoured Jacob. This caused a chain of events which eventuated in Jacob deceiving his brother Esau and escaping to his uncle Laban's place. While Jacob was living and working at Laban's place he fell deeply in love with Rachel, Laban's younger daughter. He worked 7 years to have the opportunity to marry Rachel and was deceived on his wedding night, because in the morning he realized he had married the elder daughter Leah. He worked another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Jacob (later named Israel)
The story of Joseph really starts back in Genesis with favouritism. Joseph's grand-father Isaac had 2 sons - Jacob and Esau. Isaac favoured the son Esau, while his wife favoured Jacob. This caused a chain of events which eventuated in Jacob deceiving his brother Esau and escaping to his uncle Laban's place. While Jacob was living and working at Laban's place he fell deeply in love with Rachel, Laban's younger daughter. He worked 7 years to have the opportunity to marry Rachel and was deceived on his wedding night, because in the morning he realized he had married the elder daughter Leah. He worked another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Jacob (later named Israel)
• Jacob (Israel) has children also with Bilhah & Zilpah.
• Bilhah - Dan, Naphtali
• Zilpah - Gad, Asher
• Rachel - Joseph, Benjamin
• Leah - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
• Bilhah - Dan, Naphtali
• Zilpah - Gad, Asher
• Rachel - Joseph, Benjamin
• Leah - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
Joseph Sold as a Slave into Egypt
Gen 37:18-20 “When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. And they said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer! “Now then, come let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits: and we will say a wild beast has devoured him.” Then let us see what will become of his dreams."(1)
The Biblical date for Joseph is 1681 B.C. which would be in the 12th Dynasty of a Revised Chronology.(2)
In the proposed Revised Chronology the Pharaoh ruling at the time of Joseph most likely would have been Sesostris I of the 12th Dynasty of Egypt. Sesostris I, as he is known by his Greek name, also went by many other names including:
Senusret I
Senwosret I
Usertarsen
Kheperkere
Sesonchosis
Sesostris I led a successful military campaign into Nubia. He worshiped the Nile Crocodile god Sobek. He built at least 35 buildings between Aswan and the Delta and Erected a pyramid (107m x 61m) and huge obelisks (One of which was 20.4m high weighs 120 tons). He built a temple at On (Heliopolis).(2)
Below is the Pyramid of Sesotris I located near Lake Meoris:
In the proposed Revised Chronology the Pharaoh ruling at the time of Joseph most likely would have been Sesostris I of the 12th Dynasty of Egypt. Sesostris I, as he is known by his Greek name, also went by many other names including:
Senusret I
Senwosret I
Usertarsen
Kheperkere
Sesonchosis
Sesostris I led a successful military campaign into Nubia. He worshiped the Nile Crocodile god Sobek. He built at least 35 buildings between Aswan and the Delta and Erected a pyramid (107m x 61m) and huge obelisks (One of which was 20.4m high weighs 120 tons). He built a temple at On (Heliopolis).(2)
Below is the Pyramid of Sesotris I located near Lake Meoris:
Herodotus Visits Egypt - Artificial Lake watered by Joseph's Canal, worship of Crocodiles, Canals dug during Sesostris' reign
Herodotus (circa 400 BC) 148
“… constructed a Labyrinth a little above Lake Meoris, near the place called the city of the crocodiles. I have seen this building , and it is beyond my power to describe … The pyramids, too, are astonishing structures, each one of them equal to many of the most ambitious works of Greece; but the labyrinth surpasses them.”(3)
Herodotus – The Histories (137, p.160)
“… for the level of the ground had already been raised once, in Sesostris’ reign, when the canals were dug.”(3)
149 …”Now this immense basin is obviously artificial, for nearly in the middle of it are two pyramids…The water in the lake is not supplied by natural springs, but has been brought from the Nile through an artificial duct.”(3)
“… constructed a Labyrinth a little above Lake Meoris, near the place called the city of the crocodiles. I have seen this building , and it is beyond my power to describe … The pyramids, too, are astonishing structures, each one of them equal to many of the most ambitious works of Greece; but the labyrinth surpasses them.”(3)
Herodotus – The Histories (137, p.160)
“… for the level of the ground had already been raised once, in Sesostris’ reign, when the canals were dug.”(3)
149 …”Now this immense basin is obviously artificial, for nearly in the middle of it are two pyramids…The water in the lake is not supplied by natural springs, but has been brought from the Nile through an artificial duct.”(3)
Potiphar's House & wife Zelicah
Apocrypha (The little Genesis)
34:11 “…they sold him to Potiphar, the eunuch of Pharaoh, the Chief of the cooks and priest of the city of Elew.”(4)
The Book of Jasher
44:47-49, p.177
“… the brook of Egypt was filled above all its sides, and all the inhabitants of Egypt went forth, and also the king and princes went forth with timbrels and dances, for it was a great rejoicing in Egypt, and a holiday at the time of the inundation of the sea Sihor, and they went there to rejoice all the day. … all the people of the household of Potiphar went with them, but Zelicah would not go with them, for she said, I am indisposed, and she remained in the house and no other person was with her in the house."(5)
• Put a knife to Joseph’s throat.
• Even visited him in prison and said she could have him released if he did her bidding.
34:11 “…they sold him to Potiphar, the eunuch of Pharaoh, the Chief of the cooks and priest of the city of Elew.”(4)
The Book of Jasher
44:47-49, p.177
“… the brook of Egypt was filled above all its sides, and all the inhabitants of Egypt went forth, and also the king and princes went forth with timbrels and dances, for it was a great rejoicing in Egypt, and a holiday at the time of the inundation of the sea Sihor, and they went there to rejoice all the day. … all the people of the household of Potiphar went with them, but Zelicah would not go with them, for she said, I am indisposed, and she remained in the house and no other person was with her in the house."(5)
• Put a knife to Joseph’s throat.
• Even visited him in prison and said she could have him released if he did her bidding.
Joseph in Prison
Gen 40:20-23, 41:1 “Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants. And he restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream…”(1)
Zaphenath-Paneah (Jospeh) - Mentuhotep (Visier under Sesostris I
In History of Egypt, by James Breasted, an archaeologist, is quoted in Unwrapping the Pharaohs refers to the extraordinary power of this vizier under Sestostris I - Mentuhotep:
“… held the office of chief treasurer, as did the powerful vizier Mentuhotep under Sesostris I, the account which he could give of himself …read like the declaration of the King’s power”.(2)
Mentuhotep - “Appears as the alter ego of the king. When he arrived, the great personages bowed down before him at the outer door of the royal palace.”(2)
Genesis 41:38-44
“Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold necklace around his neck. And he had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!”(1)
“… held the office of chief treasurer, as did the powerful vizier Mentuhotep under Sesostris I, the account which he could give of himself …read like the declaration of the King’s power”.(2)
Mentuhotep - “Appears as the alter ego of the king. When he arrived, the great personages bowed down before him at the outer door of the royal palace.”(2)
Genesis 41:38-44
“Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold necklace around his neck. And he had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!”(1)
Joseph Saves Egypt
Justin Trogus, a Roman Historian, cited in Bishop James Ussher's survey of the world (The Annuls of the World) states:
"Joseph was most skilled in explaining dreams or signs and was the first that found out and taught the art of interpretation of dreams. Neither was there any part of divine or human intention, which seemed to be unknown to him in that he foretold a famine many years before it happened. All Egypt would have perished unless the king, by his advice, had ordered grain to be stored many years before the famine came."(6)
Hungry Rock
“I was in mourning on my throne, Those of the palace were in grief, my heart was in great affliction. Because Hapy [the river god] had failed to come in a time of seven years. Grain was scant, kernels were dried up, scarce was every kind of food. Every man robbed his twin, those who entered did not go. Children cried, youngsters fell, the hearts of the old were grieving; legs drawn up, they hugged the ground, their arms clasped about them. Courtiers were needy, temples were shut, shrines covered with dust, everyone was in distress.”(2)
Benni Hassan, between Cairo & Luxor, 12th Dynasty tomb wall of Ameni (a provincial governor under Sesostris I)
“No one was unhappy in my days, not even in the years of famine, for I had tilled all the fields of the Nome of Mah, up to its southern and northern frontiers. Thus I prolonged the life of its inhabitants and preserved the food which it produced.”(2)
"Joseph was most skilled in explaining dreams or signs and was the first that found out and taught the art of interpretation of dreams. Neither was there any part of divine or human intention, which seemed to be unknown to him in that he foretold a famine many years before it happened. All Egypt would have perished unless the king, by his advice, had ordered grain to be stored many years before the famine came."(6)
Hungry Rock
“I was in mourning on my throne, Those of the palace were in grief, my heart was in great affliction. Because Hapy [the river god] had failed to come in a time of seven years. Grain was scant, kernels were dried up, scarce was every kind of food. Every man robbed his twin, those who entered did not go. Children cried, youngsters fell, the hearts of the old were grieving; legs drawn up, they hugged the ground, their arms clasped about them. Courtiers were needy, temples were shut, shrines covered with dust, everyone was in distress.”(2)
Benni Hassan, between Cairo & Luxor, 12th Dynasty tomb wall of Ameni (a provincial governor under Sesostris I)
“No one was unhappy in my days, not even in the years of famine, for I had tilled all the fields of the Nome of Mah, up to its southern and northern frontiers. Thus I prolonged the life of its inhabitants and preserved the food which it produced.”(2)
Joseph recognises his brothers
Gen 42:2-4 “”Behold I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” Then ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.”(1)
Gen 42:6-7 “And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”(1)
Joseph is 39 yrs old (17yrs old sold, 30yrs old before Pharaoh, 7yrs plenty, 2 famine yrs). Had not seen his brothers for 22yrs!
Gen 42:9-15 “And Joseph remembered the dreams he had about them, and he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” Then they said to him, “No my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. “We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” Yet he said to them, “No but you have come to look at the undefended parts of the land!” But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.” And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you will not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.”(1)
Joseph put them all in prison then let them leave except Simeon.
Gen 42:21-24 “Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet you would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” They did not know, however, that Joseph understood for there was an interpreter between them. And he turned away from them and wept.”(1)
Joseph questioned them particularly:
Gen 43:7 “But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?”(1)
Benjamin comes to Egypt and they are brought to Joseph’s house:
Gen 43:26-30 “When Joseph came home, they brought the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed down in homage. As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” And Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself…”(1)
The Silver Cup for Benjamin to be a prisoner, Judah intercedes:
Gen 44:14 “.. And they fell to the ground before him. And Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination? … Gen 44:18 “…Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.” Gen 44:33-34 “”Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest I see the evil that would overtake my father?"(1)
Gen 45:1 “Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me”. So there was no man with him when Jospeh made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.” Then Joseph said to his brothers “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. Gen 45:14-15 “Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept on his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him.”(1)
Gen 46:29-30 “And Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.”(1)
Gen 50:15-17 “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph should bear a grudge against us and pay us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So, they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers….” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him."(1)
Gen 42:6-7 “And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”(1)
Joseph is 39 yrs old (17yrs old sold, 30yrs old before Pharaoh, 7yrs plenty, 2 famine yrs). Had not seen his brothers for 22yrs!
Gen 42:9-15 “And Joseph remembered the dreams he had about them, and he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” Then they said to him, “No my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. “We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” Yet he said to them, “No but you have come to look at the undefended parts of the land!” But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.” And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you will not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.”(1)
Joseph put them all in prison then let them leave except Simeon.
Gen 42:21-24 “Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet you would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” They did not know, however, that Joseph understood for there was an interpreter between them. And he turned away from them and wept.”(1)
Joseph questioned them particularly:
Gen 43:7 “But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?”(1)
Benjamin comes to Egypt and they are brought to Joseph’s house:
Gen 43:26-30 “When Joseph came home, they brought the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed down in homage. As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” And Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself…”(1)
The Silver Cup for Benjamin to be a prisoner, Judah intercedes:
Gen 44:14 “.. And they fell to the ground before him. And Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination? … Gen 44:18 “…Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.” Gen 44:33-34 “”Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest I see the evil that would overtake my father?"(1)
Gen 45:1 “Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me”. So there was no man with him when Jospeh made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.” Then Joseph said to his brothers “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. Gen 45:14-15 “Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept on his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him.”(1)
Gen 46:29-30 “And Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.”(1)
Gen 50:15-17 “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph should bear a grudge against us and pay us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So, they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers….” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him."(1)
References
1. New American Standard Bible (1993), Chain Reference, compiled and edited by F.C. Thompson, B.B Kirkbridge Bible Co. Inc., USA.
2. Ashton J & Down D, (2006), Unwrapping The Pharaohs - How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline, Master Books, New Leaf Publishing Group, AR USA.
3. Herodotus (5th Century BC) - The Histories by Herodotus, Penguin Classics, Tales from Herodotus, Book One, Penguin Books, Translated by Aubrey De Selincourt, pp 24-25.
4. The Apocrypha: Including Books from the Ethiopic Bible, (2009), Compiled by Joseph Lumpkin, Fifth Estate Publishers, USA, pp.491 & 495.5.
5. The Book of Jasher, (2010), 1st Ed., Wilder Publications, USA.
6. The Annals of the World - James Ussher's Classic Survey of World History, (2010), Master Books, Revised & Updated by Larry & Marion Pierce, p.31, 2289b AM, 2999 JP, 1715BC.
1. New American Standard Bible (1993), Chain Reference, compiled and edited by F.C. Thompson, B.B Kirkbridge Bible Co. Inc., USA.
2. Ashton J & Down D, (2006), Unwrapping The Pharaohs - How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline, Master Books, New Leaf Publishing Group, AR USA.
3. Herodotus (5th Century BC) - The Histories by Herodotus, Penguin Classics, Tales from Herodotus, Book One, Penguin Books, Translated by Aubrey De Selincourt, pp 24-25.
4. The Apocrypha: Including Books from the Ethiopic Bible, (2009), Compiled by Joseph Lumpkin, Fifth Estate Publishers, USA, pp.491 & 495.5.
5. The Book of Jasher, (2010), 1st Ed., Wilder Publications, USA.
6. The Annals of the World - James Ussher's Classic Survey of World History, (2010), Master Books, Revised & Updated by Larry & Marion Pierce, p.31, 2289b AM, 2999 JP, 1715BC.